The title says it all. What is couscous? I see it near the rice and I hear about it but I don't know what it is. Is it like orzo pasta? Is it like rice? It's all near the same place in the store. Can someone explain what it is? Is it worth the money to buy?

Couscous is spherical granules made by rolling and shaping moistened semolina wheat and then coating them with finely ground wheat flour. Here is a good explanation at Wikipedia which explains what it is and how it is made: Couscous

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Callisto in NC

Thank you but that went over my head like an F-16 going Mach 5. I think that's actually close to what the box said and where the confusion came in. Layman's terms???

In layman's terms, couscous is little pasta balls. Small tiny ones about the size of tiny tapioca. Couscous is a great side for many dishes. I always have a canister of it in my pantry.

Callisto, go to your local Wal-Mart and look in the pasta section, near the wild rice (Uncle Ben's) and you will see several small boxes. One of them will be labeled "couscous." Go from there. But, instead of using water to cook it, use chicken broth. It will be better.

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In layman's terms, couscous is little pasta balls. Small iny ones about the size of tiny tapioca. Couscous is a great side for many dishes. I always have a canister of it in my pantry.

Callisto, go to your local Wal-Mart and look in the pasta section, near the wild rice (Uncle Ben's) and you will see several small boxes. One of them will be labeled "couscous." Go from there. But, instead of using water to cook it, use chicken broth. It will be better.

I was at Walmart today and they had boxes of "garlic herb couscous" next to the pasta and a canister of couscous for $7 and at Lowes they had the same canister for $10. I looked for a plain box, but I couldn't find one on my trip to "the other side" of town at either of the stores I stopped at. I guess I could buy the boxed garlic flavor just to see what it is.

Basically a few years back I had this pasta that looked smaller than orzo and I am wondering if couscous is what we ate that night.

I buy the plain Near East couscous and especially love it in the summer when I can nuke some chicken broth/stock and just pour it on the couscous. I do not have central a/c and I can fix this starch hot or put it in the fridge and turn it into a salad. It is NOT rice, and is generally much smaller in size than orzo. It is a real summertime staple for us, we toss it with tomatoes, herbs, raisins, nuts, whatever and eat it cold or warm. It is also a great thing to fix if you have vegetarian friends. You can grill meat and veggies, then use the couscous as a side dish, but with nuts and dried fruit in it (obviously you just use water, not stock) and lots of herbs, your vegetarian friends can make a meal of it.

Thanks Claire ~ I'm thinking I had couscous in a restaurant about 13 years ago from your description. I love your description by the way. I'll definitely splurge and pick up a container next time I venture to Walmart.

Just curious, how would grilled shrimp and veggies be tossed in couscous?